Matrix Initiate


Initial Attunement/Use [10] 
    Initiate (Shadow Movement)         [5] 
         Extended Shadow Movement Advanced Attunment/Use [5] 
            Matrix of the Mind     [5] 
                Summon Vortex (Offense)     [5] 
                [Matrix] Shield [5] 
            Improved Shadow Movement [5] 
            Shadow Manipulation [5] 
                Matrix Lens


The Matrix

(Example Shadow Power)

The Matrix is an example of a different write-up of Broken Pattern Imprint. It is still a watered down version of Pattern, but is more... deviant. Partial credit for this write-up should go to Daniel Jacobsson, and his GM Tim Wilbanks. I and Scott Nolan have made significant changes to make it fit my campaign.

On the shadow of Eidolon, deep in the bowels of the earth (below what was once an ancient ruin and has since become Castle Omega), lies a glowing field of energy known as The Matrix.  It is composed of a complex latticework with no beginning, no breaks, no end, but a definite center -- the whole marred only by a roaming glitch known as the Vortex -- a random swirling of life and destruction on the Matrix. The Vortex wanders about the Matrix in a nearly random motion.

Matrix attunement is a tricky process. The candidate watches carefully from the edge of the Matrix for the Vortex to reach one of the outer lines, temporarily breaching the Matrix. The candidate must then walk a careful dance around the edge of the Vortex as it wanders the Matrix. The candidate must simultaneously avoid stepping on the Matrix as it resumes solidity, and drifting too close to the Vortex.  He must constantly stay in the penumbra between the two. This feat is complicated by the shifts in motion of the Vortex. Only one out of ten candidates survives to reach the center and become an initiate.

Matrix initiates of Eidolon, if they heard of Amber's static Pattern, might argue that while the Pattern is stronger, Eidolon's Matrix is more representative of the true shape of the universe, blending as it does the beauties and dangers of both Order and Chaos.


ATTRIBUTE TIPS FOR MATRIX
Walking the Matrix requires powers of both mind and body.  Psyche is necessary to control the manipulations of shadow.  Characters no investment in Psyche can only use its powers when completely rested and in top physical condition. 

Walking on the Matrix requires Endurance. Characters with no investment in Endurance may walk the Matrix only when completely rested and at peak condition.  Even then, fewer than 10% survive the attempt, and those that do are completely exhausted upon completion.  Characters slightly higher Endurance can walk the Matrix with little danger, but are still quite tired when finished. Characters with significant Endurance investments can easily walk the Matrix.


Powers

Crossing Shadow
Initiates of the Matrix can travel through Shadow, but only by traveling physical distances at the same time.  Travel is slow.  If the initiate tries to move at a faster rate, he drastically increases his chances of falling prey to the Vortex.  The initiate cannot merely set a course and begin movement.  He must constantly adjust for the semi-random motion of the Vortex and angle toward his destination, the technique is not wholly unlike tacking a ship into the wind. 

This ability does not include the capacity to seek Shadows of desire.  The initiate can explore from Shadow to Shadow, or can travel to known Shadows, or those researched through mystical means, but that is all.  A mistake is rarely immediately lethal, instead a close brush with the Vortex can deposit the user on a random shadow. Depending on your Good to Bad Stuff ratio, this can still be dangerous.

Extended Shadow Movement
A Matrix initiate can lead others through Shadow.  A small group, under a dozen or so, can be led with relatively few problems if the initiate is careful to keep them close.  However, as the initiate is by definition traveling between the Scylla of the Vortex and the Charybdis of the Matrix, danger is always present.  Large bodies of men, such as an army, will inevitably suffer losses. The larger the body of men, the greater the proportion of losses.  People lost in this way suffer the true and final death.

This level of skill with Shadow Movement also allows a sort of 'Royal Way', involving slower, but less strenuous and/or dangerous travel.

Finally, an initiate standing at the center of the Matrix may will the Matrix to send him to any place of his desire.  This is almost always an inexact science, however, and the influence of the Vortex will occasionally cause this desire to be perverted in some random way. 

ADVANCED MATRIX INITIATION
(At this level, the Vortex is still an inconvenience, but rarely a true threat unless the advanced initiate is injured or distracted.)

Visualize the Matrix
Much like the Advanced Pattern Ability, except that it is dangerous to attempt when tired or distracted.  If the initiate accidently concentrates too hard on the Matrix or the Vortex, he will be knocked senseless.

Manifest the Vortex
Matrix initiates can summon the destructive energies of the Vortex. It manifests as a blast of raw energy that is usually rather destructive. The strength of the Vortex depends on the Psyche of the initiate. Manifesting the Vortex has some side effects. Magic becomes easier to work, and technology based items may fail. More importantly, Shadow movement in the general area via the Matrix is more likely to result in an encounter with the Vortex. The Vortex is slower to activate than Pattern Defense.

Matrix Sheild
Summoning the image around themselves, the Matrix user can create a shield immune to Vortex energies. This shield also acts as physical and mental defense (similar to Pattern Defense) unlike the Logrus shield, the Matrix Shield appears as a full bubble, where the user sits in the vortex at the center. A Matrix Shield is slower to activate than Pattern Defense. Initiates cannot simultaneously attack with the Vortex and defend with the shield. While it is slow to activate the Shield/Vortex, once done the Matrix initiate can switch between them quickly. Fights between initiates are long drawn-out affairs, where each initiate tries to blast the other when the other has their shield down.

Improved Shadow Travel
Travel is faster and easier, nearly as fast as the rate of a normal Pattern initiate.  Hellriding is possible, but dangerous. 

Shadow Manipulation
Advanced initiates of the Matrix can manipulate shadows in a manner similar to Pattern initiates (not advanced Pattern initiates), but there is always some variation from the desired design.  Usually, this is not critical.  Also, if the advanced initiate does not visit the shadow with some frequency, it will drift back towards its original configuration.

Matrix Lens
The user may call up the image of the Matrix, which can be used for magical sight and recognition.  The presence of the Vortex -does not- give innacurate information, but does occasionally force the initiate to discontinue using the lens. 


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